Communities in Mthatha and Bloemfontein on High Alert

The South African Police Service (SAPS) is urgently appealing to the public for assistance in locating two police officers from different provinces. The cases have raised concerns nationwide, highlighting the vulnerability even within law enforcement ranks.

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Constable Hlalanathi Gwebityala (23), attached to the Mthatha Public Order Policing unit, disappeared on the morning of 2 June 2025. Gwebityala, who lives in Slovo Park, Mthatha, was last seen at approximately 06:00 while accompanying friends. Since then, attempts to reach him on his cellphone have failed, and police investigations have found no trace of his whereabouts.

The young officer, described by colleagues as diligent and committed, has left his family and the community worried. “Hlalanathi has always been responsible and careful,” said a close SAPS colleague. “His sudden disappearance is alarming, and we are leaving no stone unturned to find him.”

Police have made enquiries with his known friends and family, but so far, no solid leads have emerged. The Mthatha Central Police Station continues to coordinate search efforts, appealing to anyone with information to come forward urgently.

Meanwhile, in the Free State, a separate but equally distressing case has unfolded.

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Sergeant Vuyiswa Martha Nduna (47), stationed at Bainsvlei Police Station, went missing on Friday, 1 August 2025. Last seen by her son at their residence in Abrahamskraal, Bloemfontein, Sergeant Nduna had planned to visit her family in Mthatha, Eastern Cape. She purchased a bus ticket from a shopping complex in Langehovenpark and asked her son to call a taxi to take her to the Tourism Center bus terminus.

However, there is no record of her boarding the bus to Mthatha, and she has not been heard from since. Her sudden disappearance sparked immediate concern, leading to a missing persons report and an official investigation by police authorities.

SAPS officials stress that while the two disappearances are not connected, they reflect a troubling reality of police officers themselves becoming victims. Both officers serve vital roles within the police force — Gwebityala in maintaining public order in Mthatha, and Nduna with years of experience at Bainsvlei. Their absence leaves gaps in the service and raises questions about the safety and welfare of those who serve to protect the public.

The disappearance of police officers often stirs deep unease, not only within law enforcement circles but also among the wider community. “We rely on these officers to keep us safe,” said a local community leader in Mthatha. “Knowing one of our own is missing is frightening, and we urge anyone with information to assist.”

Authorities highlight that the first 48 hours after a person disapears are critical. The SAPS is employing specialised units, including crime intelligence and tracking teams, to search for both officers. These units are reviewing CCTV footage, phone records, and interviewing witnesses in both provinces.

Community members have taken to social media, sharing photos and details of the police officers in a bid to widen the search network. Posts on Facebook and WhatsApp groups have circulated widely, with calls for anyone with possible sightings or tips to come forward.

In Mthatha, the search for Constable Gwebityala continues, with police coordinating with local residents and patrol units to scour possible areas where he might be. Meanwhile, in Bloemfontein, officers are intensifying their investigations around the bus terminus and surrounding neighborhoods, hoping to find clues to Sergeant Nduna’s last movements.

How to help Find the Missing Officers

Anyone who may have information about the whereabouts of Hlalanathi Gwebityala is asked to contact Constable Dlakavu at Mthatha Central Police Station on 071 475 2058. For leads on Sergeant Vuyiswa Nduna, please contact Captain Thapelo Motseki at 082 442 0991.

Both officers have dedicated years of service to the SAPS, and their safe return remains a priority for the police and their families. The SAPS reiterates that withholding information that could assist the investigations is a criminal offence and urges the public to cooperate fully.

For more information on Sergeant Nduna’s case, visit Sergeant Vuyiswa Martha Nduna Vanishes Before Eastern Cape Trip.

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